IT'S OFFICIAL!! I leave for Haiti in just 11 days! I can't believe it! God is already providing the way and working out the details. Below is a copy of the support letter that I'm just about to drop off at the post office.

February 8, 2010

Dear Friends and Family,

I wanted to take a moment to tell you about an opportunity that God has set before me to grow personally, as well as to practically serve people who are hurting.

Just this past weekend, one of my good friends from nursing school invited me to join her on a medical mission to Haiti to provide much-needed medical care in a town just outside of the capital, Port au Prince. My jaw dropped when she told me how soon the team was leaving - the dates of the trip are February 21^st through March 1^st! But I knew that God was stirring my heart to go, and after talking with Shaun and our families, I have decided to join her. We will be traveling with a team through an organization called Hope for Haiti and my responsibility will be to assist with medical care in a clinic.

I truly count it a privilege, not only to help heal physical wounds that have been left by the earthquake, but also to point them to the One Who can heal them spiritually and make them whole. I am humbled that God would include me in His work and give me the chance to pour out love on the people of Haiti. I can’t wait!

Please pray – for safe travel, as well as safety when we arrive. As I’m sure you know, the conditions in Haiti are still very unstable. Pray for spiritual growth in my life as God gives me another opportunity to trust Him and make myself available to be used by Him. Pray for adequate supplies to provide safe, effective medical treatment. There are still people struggling with broken bones that have not been set and wounds that are terribly infected.

And, lastly, please consider donating if you’re able to at this time. The cost of the trip is roughly $1,000, which is more than Shaun and I can afford right now. If you would like to give, you can write a check to me personally, and it will go straight to the cost of airfare and travel. If I raise any more money than I absolutely need, every penny over that amount will go to purchasing medical supplies for the healthcare providers working in Haiti.

Thank you for your support. I can’t wait to share with you the ways in which God changes my life, as well as the lives of those for whom I will provide care.

With Love and Gratitude,

Courtney DeYager

I almost can't contain my excitement to go, but last night as I was laying next to my husband in bed as he was sleeping (it was like 2am and I was mentally packing!), I got really nervous. Not about my safety...I know I'm just as likely to get in a car accident on my way to the grocery store three minutes from our house as I am to get hurt or sick in Haiti. I was scared to go through this experience without Shaun. I've never been away from him for this long, and definitely not since Zachary died. He's my reality check...my protector...the one who provides so much balance in my life. Really, I'm scared to go through this life-changing experience without my best friend. But even though I'm nervous, God has more than nudged me to go and I know I'll be able to share this experience, even if it's in a limited way, with my husband. And I CAN'T WAIT! I would hop on a plane right now if I could.

Thank you, Lord, for this opportunity. Pour me out, Lord - everything I've got! Amen.